'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' is ... Rooney Mara

By
Jen Chaney

Rooney Mara, aka the new Lisbeth Salander. (Wire photo)

Rooney Mara has won the role of Lisbeth Salander in the American adaptation of "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," Sony announced today in a press release. Mara, who got the part after much speculation and debate over which actress should tackle the part of the hard-eged hacker, will star opposite the previously cast Daniel Craig in the series of films, based on the adaptation of the best-selling Stiegg Larsson thrillers.

Director David Fincher will begin shooting "Tattoo," the first movie in the trilogy, next month in Sweden.

This puts to rest the months-long debate about which contenders -- from Natalie Portman to Ellen Page to the newly shorn Emma Watson -- would ultimately emerge as the front-runner.

Now, to answer the question loudly percolating in your brain: Who the heck is Rooney Mara? She's appeared in "Youth in Revolt" and the recent remake of "Nightmare on Elm Street." She also will be seen this fall in "The Social Network," Fincher's Facebook movie. That film, already highly anticipated, also will be watched closely because of another of its rising stars: Andrew Garfield, recently cast as the new Spider-Man.

Never seen her, never heard of her. She looks sort of non-descript, she isn't helped by the charismatic look with the burning eyes that Naomi Rapace has. She'll need one hell of acting skill to do this. I listened to an interview of her on Youtube, and at least her voice isn't too girlie - but not exciting either. I think I'd preferred Portman.

I still wonder about the approach here, seems like a mis-allocation of starpower resources. From the books and the Swedish movie trilogy, Salander is the star. I guess putting a Daniel Craig into her orbit will maintain the illusion that the reporter is the focus of the stories.

she is beautiful ! without any conscript or tattooed acclamation ! yet is her choice that i respect about her body, minds can change , but what ever a tatoo does not condeme one to hell ! only jews have the proiterity to burn with the devel in hell for ever !

Liz or Jen, would one of you call the nurse's station on sideboom's ward and tell them he's out again. I'm guessing he bolted during occupational therapy. And his meds don't appear to be very effective, either.

It will be hard to beat the strength of the Swedish films. Rapace is perfect as Salander. Maybe Craig will be okay, but he had better work hard to get it right. I'll probably see the new versions, but I'm buying the DVDs of the Swedish films. First one is magnificent. (I've read all three books and LOVED them.) Interview with Rapace is a terrific bonus feature. She basically gave up her life to make all three in a row. Still has scars from the piercings. Truly a great performance and a perfect portrayal of Salander. Guess we'll see if the US versions measure up.

Moebius22 is right: watch the Swedish original. Hollywood's take will end up making compromises and plot edits just as they did in remaking "Brothers" and "Mostly Martha", two brilliant directed and acted works as originally filmed .

This is brilliant casting. The Rooney-Mara dynasty is worth megabucks. I haven't seen casting this brilliant since Sir Steve put Sid Sheinbergs wife in "Jaws", since, you know, he just happened to be making "Jaws" at Universal. Yeah right.

I'm glad it's someone relatively unknown to audiences. I thought she was fine in Youth in Revolt -- I wish her the best of luck with a challenging role -- one challenge for her will be overcoming the blandness that an American remake will inevitably insert. I think Noomi Rapace has been fantastic, and she is quite "normal" looking when not in Lisbeth togs.

I don't understand why Hollywood continues to remake perfectly good foreign films for the American audience. Naomi Rapace is irreplaceable as Lisbeth Salander. Deal with the subtitles, these original movies are great.

Let The Right One In
LA FEMME NIKITA
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The Girl who played with Fire

This actress is going to have the weight of the world on her shoulders for taking this role. Granted the family connections will help if the film tanks and she continues her career playing community theatre in Squirrel Hill, PA or Westchester County, NY.

Gotta give her points for guts to take the gig. But the fanboys etal are going to be sharpening their daggers for this one. It should be exciting, eh?

The Millenium Trilogy Books are an awesome read and Lizbeth is a firey, take no prisoners type of gal. Noomi Rapace, for those who've not seen the movie, is believable in this role - actually OUTSTANDING!. She has a feminine but strong body which makes some of the dust ups she has with ruffians quite believable. Rooney Mara has her work cut out for her; in the gym and in front of the cameras.

While I agree that Let the Right One In and La Femme Nikita were excellent in their original form and could not have been improved, I disagree on The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. I think Daniel Craig will be an excellent Michael. Older, not actually "HOT", but with a male magnetism. Dunno about the girl in this case, just have to see but I was not actually impressed with ANY of the casting in the Swedish Version. I'm actually hoping Hollywood will pull through for once as I'm still waiting for an awesome movie to go with this awesome book series.